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Top 25 MLB Players Under 25

The start of spring training for the 2016 MLB season marks an exciting period for baseball fans around the country with World Series aspirations. It also offers an opportunity for unproven players to showcase their talents, career minor league players and top prospects alike. In recent years we have seen a wave of talent seize this opportunity and earn a spot on their MLB affiliate at an unexpectedly young age. Traditionally prospects need years of grooming with their Major League ball club before finding success, but this new generation of ballplayers has exploded into relevance on the biggest stage.

The following list of players consists entirely of homegrown talent that franchises developed through their minor league player development system. The Royals proved with their championship this year that a club can successfully rebuild their franchise through the farm system, and a number of teams including the Astros and Cubs are following that lead. The focus of these organizations is to build their team through the draft and player development. This trend has offered prospects more of a chance to prove themselves at the MLB level and many talented young prospects have taken full advantage.

This generation of young stars is spread out around every position on the diamond and among many teams throughout the league. Some of these guys have already established themselves as superstars in MLB, while others have shown glimpses of stardom at a young age. In a time when professional athletes' training and nutrition is a precise science, this influx of young talent has been making jumping to the MLB level with unusual ease. It is a thrilling time for baseball fans around the league and this new wave of young talent offers an appealing and prosperous future for America's pastime.

8 Jose Fernandez

7 Mookie Betts

6 Carlos Correa

5 Nolan Arenado

4 Kris Bryant

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

3 Manny Machado

Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

2 Mike Trout

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

1 Bryce Harper

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off of a season in which he was rewarded with the National League MVP, Harper has already established himself as one of the best players in the league at only 23 years old. A prolific hitter from the left handed batters box, he tied Arenado for the National League lead in home runs last season with 42 while hitting for a .330 batting average. 2015 was the best statistical year of his career and if he continues to improve the sky is the limit. The young Nationals' outfielder is on pace for a Hall of Fame caliber career.